‘Fun Facts’ Are Never Fun

As if starting a new job (or joining a new group) wasn’t scary enough, so often you’ll be asked to introduce yourself by way of a “fun fact.” Inevitably, at this moment, you will forget everything you’ve ever done, every place you’ve ever been, every one of your accomplishments. There will be nothing to say, and you’ll end up blurting out your dog’s breed, or the sport you used to play in high school, or something equally uninteresting, and un-fun. It’s not your fault. This is a bad practice, a damning prompt. Employers, especially, should not ask their employees to produce fun facts. It’s enough to be there to do the job for which you were hired.

But if you once again find yourself in a situation in which you must produce a fun fact — and you will — you might as well be prepared. The ideal fun fact is two things: (1) interesting enough to ensure nobody makes you do it over, and (2) not so interesting that everyone has lots of follow-up questions. It doesn’t have to be fun. It will rarely 青青青国产在观免费2018be fun. You just need something to say. Here are 22 ideas and prompts you can keep in your back pocket for the next time you’re asked.

青青青国产在观免费20181. Your proudest atypical accomplishment. The year you made every recipe in Deb Perelman’s cookbook; the time you built an IKEA dresser in an hour flat; your Jenga title; your famous Super Bowl dip.

2. Your most prized collection. Whether it’s old coins, stamps, or something less-grandfatherly, this is a perfect “fun” fact.

3. Your biggest (non-serious fear). You don’t want to get TOO vulnerable here (“My biggest fear is death” might chill the room a bit), but if you’ve got a very specific, less-common fear, like chipmunks or something, go with that.